When a {{Sequel}} or {{Prequel}} to a work isn't actually stated or advertised as a sequel/prequel. At first, it looks like a SpiritualSuccessor, ContinuityReboot, AlternateUniverse, or some other closely related universe tie-in but it turns out to be a direct sequel. This might just be hinted at, or expressed outright near the end. CanonWelding often uses this to tie multiple formerly independent franchises together. The work may have a RecycledTitle. See also BroadStrokes.

As you might guess, there will be '''SPOILERS'''.

----!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]* ''Manga/RozenMaiden Tale'' started out as a WhatIf manga that shows what would happen if Jun [[RedPillBluePill decided not to wind]]. Then the story transitioned into where the original continuity left off. [[labelnote:*]]The original continuity was CutShort.[[/labelnote]]* ''Manga/DevilmanLady'' at first seems like an AlternateContinuity retelling of ''Manga/{{Devilman}}'' with a {{Genderflip}}ped protagonist, but it is revealed late in the story that [[spoiler: the events of the original ''Devilman'' and ''Manga/ViolenceJack'' are canon, but nobody remembers this thanks to a CosmicRetcon that rebooted history. Devilman himself even makes an appearance to explain this to Jun]].* ''Manga/ShinMazingerZero'' seems like an alternate universe or retelling of the original ''Anime/MazingerZ''... until Kouji starts to have visions of events that happened in the original series, including a flashback of [[spoiler:the death of [[FemBot Minerva-X]]]], and it is revealed that this series is a sequel to the original anime, in the which the characters are locked in a perpetual time loop.* ''Anime/TurnAGundam'' takes this a step further: though in-story it doesn't state that much, it's out-and-out obvious that the Black History is comprised of the events of all previous ''Gundam'' shows. Official material draws the timelines as parallel lines with individual events of all the other Gundam series until finally merging to form the Correct Century (Turn A's universe) circle (FridgeLogic meaning it will never proceed any further) meaning Turn A is the Sequel to all of them because it has the power to merge timelines.* The twist ending to the 2007 anime adaptation of ''Manga/SkullMan'' revealed that [[spoiler: the series was a Stealth Prequel to ''Manga/{{Cyborg 009}}'', and that Skull Man would later become Black Ghost, the BigBad of that series.]]* ''Anime/MaiOtome'' in the beginning seemed like a spin-off series and [[TransplantedCharacterFic Transplanted Character Series]] to ''Anime/MaiHime'', only with [[MagicalGirl Magical Girls]] instead of {{Mons}}. But as the story progressed, maddeningly vague hints began insinuating that ''Otome'' is in fact set in a far future of ''[=HiME=]'', and that the Otome and SLAVES themselves descendant technology of the [=HiME=] and Orphans. The manga (which is a separate continuity from the anime) explicitly confirms it's the future.* For most of its run ''Anime/{{Stitch}}'' seemed like an AlternateUniverse to ''Disney/LiloAndStitch'', where Stitch landed in Japan instead of America. However, in the third season it was revealed that it takes place after a TimeSkip. [[spoiler:Lilo pops up as an adult with her [[StrongFamilyResemblance identical-looking]] five-year-old daughter in tow]]. * While not advertised as such, ''Manga/UQHolder'' makes it obvious in literally the first couple pages that it's a sequel to ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima''. This is likely because ''Negima'' was ended by an especially bad case of ExecutiveMeddling. * ''Anime/BloodC'' at first appears to be unrelated to ''Anime/BloodTheLastVampire'' but is later revealed to be a sequel.* ''LightNovel/AccelWorld'' is set in the far future of ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline''. Although this is known to most fans of the author, it's not obvious until a later episode of ''Accel World'', where the main character directly refers to the main Virtual Reality of SAO.* ''Manga/JacoTheGalacticPatrolman'' turns out to be a prequel to [[spoiler: ''Manga/DragonBall''. Jaco's mission was to stop Kakarot/Goku's pod from landing on Earth. He fails, obviously. Also, Tights is Bulma's older sister.]]* ''Adolescence of Utena'', the movie successor to ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'', appears to take place in an AlternateContinuity. But there are certain hints, such as personality changes and song lyrics, that seem to be saying that this is actually an extremely metaphorical true ending to the series.** The manga is also an AlternateContinuity, but its ending points towards a much bigger story happening in the future, making it seem like a prequel to the show and movie. Also, clothing changes that happen during the manga (Utena's black uniform, Chu-chu's tie) carry over to the show.* The 2014 ''Franchise/LupinIII'' anime movie, ''Anime/GravestoneOfDaisukeJigen'', in its final scene, turns out to be a prequel to [[spoiler: ''Anime/TheMysteryOfMamo''.]]* ''[[Anime/PhantasyStarOnline2 Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation]]'' quickly drops {{Foreshadowing}} about it [[spoiler:being set in the same universe [[VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2 its accompanying video game]] is based on, set seven months prior to the story of "Reborn:EPISODE 4".]]* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovieRebellion'' initially plays out like a FixFic AlternateContinuity of the franchise: everybody is alive [[spoiler:and human]], the new {{Eldritch Abomination}}s can be defeated through cheery songs, and [[AdorableAbomination Charlotte]] is the TeamPet. Then Homura reveals that she remembers all of the events of the show and how none of this makes any sense. And ''then'' things get worse.* ''Manga/KillerKiller'' waits until the third chapter to reveal itself as a ''Franchise/DanganRonpa'' spin-off.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Comic Books]]* As Website/{{Cracked}} [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/4-unlicensed-crossovers-hidden-in-famous-comics_p2/ pointed out]], Creator/JackKirby threw in some subtle hints that his ''ComicBook/NewGods'' series for Creator/DCComics was actually a continuation of his run on ''ComicBook/TheMightyThor'' over at [[MarvelComics Marvel]]. And his later, creator-owned series ''Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers'' was clearly a [[LawyerFriendlyCameo lawyer-friendly sequel]] to the Fourth World books.* When Creator/PeterDavid first began work on ''Comicbook/FallenAngel'', there were some ''strong'' hints that it was actually a sequel to his previous ''Comicbook/{{Supergirl}}'' series, and that the heroine, "Lee," was actually Supergirl herself. This was changed when the series [[ChannelHop was moved from DC to IDW]], preventing any such revelation from ever occurring. A character named Lin was later introduced, and WordOfGod is that she's essentially a LawyerFriendlyCameo from the Linda Danvers version of Supergirl.* ''[[ComicBook/DCRebirth Rebirth]]'' reveals that ''ComicBook/TheNew52'' is one to [[spoiler:''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'', since the New 52 is a case of Dr. Manhattan pulling a CosmicRetcon on the main DCU by messing with the timeline and people's memories.]]* Creator/JephLoeb's final arc on ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman'', "With a Vengeance" wasn't just a cap to his run on the book, but it also turned out to be [[spoiler: as a sequel to ''ComicBook/EmperorJoker'' as the villains of the arc ultimately turn out to be ComicBook/TheJoker and Mr. Mxzytplk.]]* At first, it seemed like Gerard Way's run on ''Doom Patrol'' would be a reboot of the franchise, especially since it was the debut title of the Creator/YoungAnimal imprint and does not acknowledge the team's then-most-recent appearance in Geoff Johns' ''Justice League'' run. However, issue 3 makes it clear that both Grant Morrison and Keith Giffen's runs did indeed happen, by having Robotman reference events within those series.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]

* MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic fanfiction:** In ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'', it's eventually revealed that [[spoiler:[[BadFuture the Dark World Arc]] was a prequel to the main series the entire time. It's the original timeline and Twilight, after ascending into an Alicorn, eventually sacrificed herself to [[TomatoInTheMirror create Shining Armor and the Interviewers]] which [[ForWantOfANail split off the timeline]] and created an alternate universe were Discord was defeated a thousand years before he was in the BadFuture.]]** In ''Fanfic/RuinValue'', it is revealed at the end of the story that it is a stealth prequel to [[spoiler:the entire series, the story being set millenia before the present in the show, when Luna, Celestia, and Discord were all young, and that ponies were the product of genetic engineering.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]* {{Creator/Tim Burton}}'s ''Film/AliceInWonderland2010'' isn't too stealthy about it since Alice is older, but she starts off her adventure in nearly the same way as [[{{Literature/AliceInWonderland}} the original book]]. A viewer could assume it's a HotterAndSexier version until a scene where, while Alice is struggling with changing size, the Dodo remarks, "You'd think she'd remember all of this from the first time."* The 2009 ''Film/StarTrek'' film functions as both this and a [[ContinuityReboot reboot]] with [[spoiler:Spock having arrived from the original timeline to provide continuity]]. The main stealth part comes from the fact that the movie is not a full reboot, but rather an AlternateTimeline, [[spoiler:created by the {{Big Bad}}'s accidental alteration of the past which generated a new, parallel space-time continuum]] that bypasses each of the preceding movies and shows except for [[Series/StarTrekEnterprise one]]. It also offers a conclusion to the Federation's conflict with the Romulan Empire, which had been gradually developing for over 40 years since ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries''. [[spoiler:8 years after ''Film/StarTrekNemesis'', just as the Federation is finally on the verge of peace with the Romulans, [[ShootTheShaggyDog their home planet's star goes supernova and almost the entire species is wiped out]]]]. ** In some foreign markets, ''Film/StarTrekIVTheVoyageHome'' was released as ''The Voyage Home: Star Trek IV'', with "The Voyage Home" written in larger letters than "Star Trek IV". They were downplaying the fact that it was ''Star Trek'' film as ''Trek'' films were considered to perform badly overseas. There was also a prologue added (you can see it [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VkCW7Xdpsc here]]) to explain the events of ''Film/{{Star Trek III|The Search for Spock}}'' as it was felt that not enough people outside the U.S. had seen it.* ''Film/{{Catwoman}}'' is a stealth sequel to the ''Batman'' films, notably, ''Film/BatmanReturns''. Her origin is identical to the one played by Michelle Pfeiffer, the Catwoman persona is said to be a LegacyCharacter, and in the pictures of former "Catwomen", we see Michelle Pfeiffer's original character.* ''Basement Jack'' is a loose sequel to ''Evilution'', the two film featuring the same old apartment building and creepy manager and his equally creepy display room of murderous artifacts, which he adds more weapons to at the end of both films (a vial of alien virus in ''Evilution'', and the eponymous character's sword in ''Basement Jack'').* At the end of ''Film/FinalDestination5'' [[spoiler:two of the remaining survivors die in Flight 180, revealing the film to be a ''prequel'' to the first film.]] * ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'' takes place before the first two movies in the ''Film/DollarsTrilogy''.* ''Film/{{Nanny McPhee}} and the Big Bang''. The only connection to the first movie is revealed [[spoiler:at the very end, when a doddering old lady is revealed to be the baby of the first family all grown up.]]* The ''Film/TwentyOneJumpStreet'' [[TheFilmOfTheSeries film]] is actually a sequel to the [[Series/TwentyOneJumpStreet original TV series]] [[spoiler:inducing SuddenSequelDeathSyndrome on Hanson and Penhall. Also, Greg Jenko (Channing Tatum) turns out to be the son of the late Capt. Richard Jenko from the show's first season.]]* ''Film/CharliesAngels'' is implied to be a sequel to [[Series/CharliesAngels the show]] by having the same person play Charlie and by the [[Film/CharliesAngelsFullThrottle sequel]] showing that these were not the first Angels. It is confirmed in ''[[Film/CharliesAngelsFullThrottle Full Throttle]]'' when Jaclyn Smith reprises her role as Kelly Garrett.* A number of people really didn't expect ''Film/ParanormalActivity2'' to be a direct prequel to the [[Film/ParanormalActivity first film]] which only explicitly states that it is after the first 14 minutes. [[spoiler:It later transitions into a sequel at the end which shows what immediately happened after the events of ''Paranormal Activity''.]]* ''Film/MissionImpossible'' is a sequel to the [[Series/MissionImpossible original series]] because it features the original protagonist in a senior role.* The ''Film/ScoobyDoo'' live-action movie takes place after the original series, as most of those villains re-appear in the sequel.* The version of ''Film/{{Shaft 2000}}'' played by Creator/SamuelLJackson is the original Shaft's nephew. And while we're talkin' 'bout ''Film/{{Shaft}}'', according to WordOfGod, [[Film/DjangoUnchained Django and Broomhilda]] are ancestors of both of them.* Viewers are led to believe that the events of ''Film/SawIV'' take place after the events of ''Film/SawIII''. It isn't until the final few minutes that it is revealed that the events of both films were actually taking place at the exact same time.* Inverted by ''Film/{{Prometheus}}'', which fans of the ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' films ''wanted'' to be a direct prequel but turned out to be more of a side story.* Lots of weird behind-the-scenes drama resulted in ''Savage Vengeance'' being this to ''Film/ISpitOnYourGrave''.* ''Film/TheThing2011'' was advertised like a remake of ''Film/TheThing1982'', but ultimately turned out to be a prequel.* Likewise, ''Film/EvilDead2013'' was advertised as a remake of ''Film/TheEvilDead1981'', but TheStinger shows [[spoiler: an aged version of Ash Williams, the protagonist of the original trilogy]]. ** Originally there was going to be a different post-credits scene which would have made this more explicit. [[spoiler: The original idea was that Mia, the FinalGirl, would be walking alone down a road while covered in blood from the encounter with the Deadites, only for an S-Mart truck to pull over next to her. The window would then roll down to reveal Ash, who would ask Mia if she needed help]].* The film version of ''Literature/TheDarkTower'' is shaping up to be one [[spoiler: to the books themselves, as Creator/StephenKing tweeted an image of the Horn of Gilead, which Roland gained in the final chapter of the final novel.]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]* If you did not pay attention, you may not have noticed that Jonas from ''Literature/TheGiver'' makes an appearance in ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', indicating that he's made it to Elsewhere (and that the latter takes place after the former). WordOfGod said that it was up to the reader to decide if it was Jonas or not, but ''Messenger'' overly hints that it was Jonas, and ''Son'' outright states that it is him.* Although Iain Banks' ''Literature/SurfaceDetail'' is set in the same universe as the other Culture novels, it only becomes apparent that it is a DistantFinale to [[spoiler: Literature/UseOfWeapons]] upon reading the ''very last word in the book.''* Creator/DianaWynneJones' ''Literature/TheMerlinConspiracy'' is described on its own jacket blurb as being a stand-alone book, and its plot is not immediately familiar. However, reading further into it reveals that its main protagonist, Nick, is the same Nick from Jones' ''Literature/DeepSecret''. However, while ''The Merlin Conspiracy'' is a young adult book, ''Deep Secret'' was written for a more adult audience. * Creator/PeterSBeagle's ''Literature/TheInnkeepersSong'' includes an elderly wizard that in many ways seems to be an extremely old version of Schmendrick from Beagle's earlier (and more famous) book ''Literature/TheLastUnicorn''. This is never explicitly confirmed or denied, and when asked in person Beagle responds with a smile: "[[ShrugOfGod I don't know]]; what do ''you'' think?"* Creator/BrandonSanderson made a stealth prequel with ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}''. The book was published several years before ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'', but in the second book of ''Stormlight'', two ''Warbreaker'' characters ([[spoiler:Vasher and Nightblood]]) appeared. Sanderson later said that he plotted out ''Stormlight'' first; ''Warbreaker'' was primarily written to have a place for those characters to be ''from''. In hindsight, several parts of ''Warbreaker'' foreshadows ''Stormlight'', such as the appearance of [=BioChromatic=] Breath paralleling [[{{Mana}} Stormlight]], and the sentient sword Nightblood being very similar to Shardblades.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]* The last episode of ''{{Series/Newhart}}'' revealed that the entire series was the dream of the protagonist from ''Series/TheBobNewhartShow''.* The protagonist of the ''Series/KnightRider'' remake is the son of the protagonist of the original show.* ''{{Series/Fargo}}'' appears to merely be a SpiritualSuccessor to [[Film/{{Fargo}} the film of the same name]] until we see a flashback wherein a character discovers the money that was hidden in the snow at the end of the film.* ''Series/TinMan'' intentionally fools viewers into believing that it's a DarkerAndEdgier [[RecycledInSpace science fiction]] [[OffToSeeTheWizard retelling]] of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'', with each of the main characters being a clear stand-in for a character in the original (the Scarecrow is a lobotomized MadScientist, the Tin Man is an ex-cop with a tin badge, Toto is a [[{{animorphism}} shapeshifting magician]], etc.). After TheReveal, though, we learn that the siblings DG and Azkadelia are actually Dorothy Gale's great-grandchildren, and that Azkadelia [[FaceHeelTurn turned to the dark side]] after being [[HijackedByGanon possessed by the spirit of the Wicked Witch of the West]].* The final episode of ''Series/HarrysLaw'' has Lisa Nicole Carson reprise her role as Renee Raddick from ''Series/AllyMcBeal'', placing the show in the same continuity as most of creator David E. Kelley's other shows, which most viewers had assumed it wasn't, given that several regulars from those shows (Mark Valley, Camryn Manheim, Christian Clemenson) appear as different characters on this one.* Done humorously at the DVD alternate ending to ''Series/BreakingBad'', which implied the entire series was the dream of Hal from ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle''.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]* ''{{VideoGame/Planetfall}}'' has a few references to {{Infocom}}'s previous sci-fi work ''Starcross'' that imply that it is set within the same universe several centuries later. And a grue appears, implying it is in the Zork universe as well.* ''Narcolepsy'' by Creator/AdamCadre isn't advertised as a sequel to Adam Cadre's previous work I-0, but it isn't long before you run across a place mentioned in the prior game. Also, I-0's protagonist Tracy Valencia makes a somewhat in-joky cameo.* ''Dinner with Andre'' by Liza Daly has a twist ending where the PC turns out to be the same character from Liza's previous IF work ''Bloodline'' several years later and sees someone she knows from that time.* ''Masquerade'' by Kathleen Fischer has a number of endings, one of them causing the game to become a prequel to her other work, ''The Cove''.* ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' wasn't advertised as a sequel to ''Koudelka'', and indeed some people still claim that they don't have any real story links, despite [[spoiler:the recurring theme of the Emigre Document, the villain impersonating a character from Koudelka, the real version of that character turning up later, Koudelka herself playing a significant role, Koudelka's son being a party member, and the last chapter of Shadow Hearts taking place ''in the monastery Koudelka was set in'']]. * ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' was a {{prequel}} to ''{{VideoGame/Ico}}'', but you'd never realize until the very end. And even then you might not realize unless you were a big fan of ''Ico''.* ''VideoGame/CaptainCommando'' is a futuristic sequel to ''VideoGame/FinalFight''. The game is set in Metro City, Ginzu the Ninja is Guy's future successor in the ways of the Bushin school, and a bust of Mike Haggar can be obtained as a power-up.* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII'' looks like a ContinuityReboot, but late in the game [[spoiler:you find yourself on a very familiar world map, and the ending names you as the famed ancestor of the first two games' heroes.]]** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVI'' has thematic links to the other "Zenithian Trilogy" games (''IV'' and ''V''), but there are hints that it's actually a prequel.* Some things in the game hints that ''VideoGame/{{Hellsinker}}'' is this to ''Radio Zonde''.* ''VisualNovel/{{Snatcher}}'', being the second game directed by Creator/HideoKojima following the original ''VideoGame/MetalGear'', features several references to his previous work. Most notably Gillian Seed's robotic sidekick, who was modeled by his creator after the "Metal Gear menace from the late 20th century." Other references include Junker chief Benson Cunningham being a former FOX-HOUND strategist and the head of the Snatcher project being none other than Dr. Pettrovich Madnar, the creator of the original Metal Gear. However, numerous inconsistencies introduced in later ''Franchise/MetalGear'' sequels has made the series hard to fit into the ''Snatcher'' continuity anymore.* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert'' was revealed to be a prequel to the Tiberium series when [[spoiler:Kane appears at the end of the Soviet campaign, revealing himself as the mastermind of the war.]] This is somewhat complicated by the [[TimeyWimeyBall rather odd nature of the series timeline]], but at least within Red Alert itself, it works.* The sci-fi FPS series ''VideoGame/{{Marathon}}'' takes place in the far future of the horror-adventure-FPS ''VideoGame/PathwaysIntoDarkness''; the [[{{Precursors}} Jjaro]] and [[EldritchAbomination W'rkncacnter]] play a key role in both, and some even theorize that the protagonist of ''Marathon'' is literally [[spoiler:''Pathways'''s hero rebuilt as a cyborg.]] There's also a theory that, given the ThemeNaming in place, ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' is also part of the same universe[[note]]the Master Chief given MJOLNIR Mk. V/VI armor, while the player of ''Marathon'' is a Mjolnir Mark IV cyborg; Bungie [[ShoutOut making the Security Chief's helmet playable]] as the Security Armor in ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'' could be proof of this being the case[[/note]], though this seems to have become far less likely now that Creator/{{Bungie}} no longer owns the franchise.** Of course, ''Marathon: Infinity'' features both alternate universes and the death of a universe, with the implication that there's something after said death (since one can potentially escape it). Considering the similarities in both verses, particularly how [=AIs=] work, ''Halo'' may have been intended as an AlternateUniverse of ''Marathon'', or even its successor after Marathon's universe "died". Yes, they might have pulled a ''[=BioShock=]'' a decade before ''[=BioShock=]'' did it.* The ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' series is implied to take place after ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIf...'', due to the appearance of ''If'''s female protagonist in the first two (well, [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo technically three]]) ''Persona'' games.* ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'' has story-wise no connection with the earlier games whatsoever for most of the game, until at the very end it's revealed to be a prequel/sequel/taking place on an alternate timeline when the player character is teleported to Rapture, the setting of the first two games.** The ''Burial at Sea'' DLC affirms this trope further, alternating between timelines of both the main campaign but also of the first ''[=BioShock=]''.* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'' are implied to be a prequel to ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', taking place centuries, or maybe even millenia, before ''VII'', with the suggestion that Shinra from ''X-2'' is a far off ancestor of President Shinra and Rufus.* In the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series, the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral games]] are implied to be a distant prequel to the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAkaneia Akaneia games]], taking place many years earlier on a different continent. Loptyr, the games' BigBad, is implied to be a member of the Earth Dragon tribe like the Akaneia games' villain Medeus, and the deity Naga is the same in both games. Likewise, while ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' is directly stated to be a distant sequel to the Akaneia games, the existence of Priam, who claims to be a descendant of Ike, also implicitly puts it as a sequel to [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Tellius games]] as well, though how distant is uncertain. * The Creator/WilliamsElectronics game ''Blaster'' is suggested to be a sequel to ''VideoGame/{{Robotron 2084}}''. The arcade games attract mode mentions something about the Robotrons having destroyed humanity. Given this much, it indicates that the player ultimately failed in their mission (or just ran out of quarters, the game got too fast, or the player got tired of playing. It would have to be one of these since games of this era had no ending except for you losing all of your lives). Incidentally, according to Electronic Games magazine, ''Robotron 2084'' was a sequel to ''VideoGame/{{Defender}}'' and ''Defender II''. * The hero of ''VideoGame/Wolfenstein3D'', BJ Blazkowicz, is revealed to be the grandfather of ''VideoGame/CommanderKeen'' in the [[AllThereInTheManual hint book for the former]]. There's also a persistent theory that the protagonist of ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' is also a descendant of BJ; the mobile [=RPGs=] go with this, where the final boss of ''Wolfenstein RPG'' is the Cyberdemon minus cybernetic parts (complete with those parts being destroyed when you defeat it) and the protagonist of ''Doom RPG'' is given the name "Stan Blazkowicz".* ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone'' is this to ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'', especially (and pragmatically) in areas that [[NoExportForYou never got]] ''Namco X Capcom''. It's no secret in-game, though, just outside of it.* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' turns out to be set in the same world as ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia''. [[spoiler:Just... back when it was [[SaveBothWorlds two worlds]] instead of one.]]* ''VideoGame/ExaPico'': When ''VideoGame/CielNosurge'', the first game in the ''Surge Concerto'' series, came out, it was believed to be a SpiritualSuccessor to the ''Ar tonelico'' games. Then ''VideoGame/ArNosurgeOdeToAnUnbornStar'' came and confirmed ''Surge Concerto'' to be a prequel series.* ''{{VideoGame/Nier}}'' is a unusual example: It is hinted to be a sequel to [[MultipleEndings Ending E]] of ''{{VideoGame/Drakengard}}'', which in turn already had an official sequel based on Ending A. Thus, ''Nier'' is an alternate timeline to ''Drakengard 2''.* ''{{VideoGame/Ikaruga}}'' is generally thought of as a SpiritualSuccessor to ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun'', but several aspects of ''Ikaruga'' suggest a solid connection, namely that ''Ikaruga'' is the iteration of ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun's'' GroundhogDayLoop where things have, after countless repetitions, finally gone through a drastic change. This is shown in ''Ikaruga's'' themes of enlightenment and ascendance, which ultimately lead the protagonists to victory, contrasting sharply with ''Radiant Silvergun's'' [[FromBadToWorse extremely depressing story]] and reinforcing the fact that the DownerEnding has been averted.* ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys:''** ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2'' doesn't look like this since it's a NumberedSequel to the first game. Until Nights 5 and 6 reveal that it's [[spoiler:actually a ''prequel'']]. You can also notice by the lower pay, the fact that [[spoiler:the Phone Guy is still alive]], and the fact that animatronics ''used'' to walk around in the day in the first game, while [[spoiler:they currently do in the second.]]** ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4'' has cutscenes in between nights that hint towards this trope, but the true reveal that ''4'' is [[spoiler:a stealth prequel for the entire franchise]] doesn't come until the cutscene of Night 5, where an event plays out that is heavily implied to be either [[spoiler:the infamous "Bite of '87" or an even ''earlier'' event]].* ''VideoGame/CaptainToadTreasureTracker'' was billed a Mario {{Spinoff}} based on the Captain Toad levels of ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld''. However, TheStinger depicts a modified opening of ''3D World'', showing that Captain Toad was chasing a green star into the Sprixie Kingdom Pipe moments after Mario and co. went in there to chase after Bowser, making ''Treasure Tracker'' a prequel.* ''VideoGame/ArmoredCoreV'' was initially thought of as a ContinuityReboot of the ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore'' series (like the ''3'' and ''[[VideoGame/ArmoredCore4 4]]'' installments before it), but ''[[VideoGame/ArmoredCoreVerdictDay Verdict Day]]'' features several surprise appearances of elements of the ''4'' universe and the ''Forgotten Day'' text story strongly imply the series is actually set in the future of the ''Armored Core 4'' universe.* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'' is a stealth prequel to the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI original game]], ending where the first one started: a nameless warrior outside Corneria with a crystal in hand. However, due to the TimeyWimeyBall of the series, it's a ''sequel'' from the perspective of [[spoiler:Garland]].* ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic X'' is set in Ubisoft's rebooted ''Might & Magic'' verse called Ashan, and is consequently forbidden from having explicit science fantasy elements. [[spoiler: It also drops some heavy hints that Ashan is just one world amongst the many in the old setting, including featuring a character from the mid-90s novels... who in those novels confirmed that the distant place he came from was an interstellar polity he served as an undercover operative for]].* ''VideoGame/{{Mother 3}}'' plays with this in an unusual way. Its title makes it clear that it is considered a sequel to ''Mother 2'' (known in America as ''VideoGame/EarthBound''), and it carries over certain gameplay elements from the previous games, but plot-wise it still mostly fits this trope. It takes place in a time and place very, very different from the previous game and it's not until later in the game that it becomes clear that this setting is even in the same universe as the previous one.* Several of Creator/{{Suda51}}'s games contain small connections to previous ones, but ''VideoGame/FlowerSunAndRain'' is a special [[StealthPun case]] - the final scene contains an ArtShift to ''VideoGame/TheSilverCase'', with the character speaking to you seeming to be one from that game instead.* ''Franchise/AloneInTheDark'': Ted Carnby in ''Illumination'' is implied to actually be the original Edward Carnby, still alive in the modern era and living under an assumed identity. This suggests the game is actually a sequel to the 2008 ''Alone in the Dark'' game.* There are some implications that the 2014 installment of ''[[{{VideoGame/Thief2014}} Thief]]'', billed as a ContinuityReboot, is actually a continuation of the original trilogy. Cases in point include [[spoiler: the factions in the game being stated to have roots in history, the original Garret's mechanical eye being a collectible artifact in the game, and the existence a historical character implied to ''be'' the original Garrett.]]* ''VideoGame/{{Volume}}'' was marketed as a standalone title, but the in-game flavor-text quickly establishes it as a sequel to [[spoiler: creator Mike Bithell's earlier game, ''VideoGame/ThomasWasAlone''. It even includes lyrics from a song about the protagonists of the first game.]]* ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea 5}}'' seems like another NumberedSequel in the series, save for a few oddities like relations between the Netherworld and Celestia being non-existent, and Christo (initially) having some rather outdated views on how demons are supposed to behave. This is seemingly explained in the epilogue which [[spoiler: implies the game is in fact a ''prequel'' to the rest of the franchise, and that Christo will eventually become Seraph Lamington from the first game]].* ''Phase Paradox'' is a sequel to the 1995 space shooter ''Philosoma''. While ''Philosoma'' had a slight element of horror, ''Phase Paradox'' is a straight survival horror game.* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames'' games are meant to be stealth prequels to ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Link's Awakening]]'': the ending of a linked game shows Link sailing on a boat that looks a lot like the one at the beginning of ''LA''. It wasn't officially confirmed until years after, in the ''Hyrule Hystoria''.* ''VideoGame/Doom2016'' was advertised as a ContinuityReboot of the ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' franchise, like with ''VideoGame/Doom3'', but certain developments in the game imply that [[spoiler: it's a sequel to the original series, with the Doomguy being the same as from ''Doom'' and ''Doom 2: Hell on Earth'', [[BroadStrokes albeit not as we know it from the actual game.]]]]* ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyInfiniteWarfare'' takes place in the far future of the ''Modern Warfare'' series, but apart from some minor nods (Such as the ''Retribution'''s hull designation, SWC-141, being recommended by Russian delegates in remembrance of Task Force 141's rescue of President Vorshevsky back in ''Modern Warfare 3.''), it's not very noticeable. * The [[UpdatedRerelease Director's Cut]] version of ''VideoGame/StrikeSuitZero'' eventually reveals that the changes in the mission sequences and plot structure were due to [[spoiler:the MissionControl character, Control, being in a GroundhogDayLoop and remembering enough from the original game's events to try to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong.]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]* For quite a long time, Black Ops Civil Service webcomic ''Webcomic/SkinHorse'' by Jeff Wells and Shaenon Garrity looked to be the spiritual successor to Garrity's earlier Mad Science comic ''{{Webcomic/Narbonic}}'', but readers suspected it was actually a sequel. It was three and a half years before the connection was officially made. The actual degree of continued story is pretty marginal, but {{Word of God}} confirms the connection was planned from the beginning and not just AscendedFanon.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]* After the events of ''WebVideo/ToBoldlyFlee'', WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic series ended with the titular character AscendingToAHigherPlaneOfExistence and Creator/DougWalker decided to go on to film new content, including a show called ''WebVideo/DemoReel''. When the latter proved to be mostly unsuccessful, and Doug decided that he wasn't done with the critic just yet, he made an episode where it was revealed that something went wrong with the Critic's ascent and he ended up being trapped in purgatory as Donnie [=DuPre=], the main character of Demo Reel.* "Just Me In The House By Myself", the first episode of the webseries ''Dryvrs'', stars Macauley Culkin. It is a sequel to the two first ''Film/HomeAlone'' movies, in which Kevin is shown having grown into a ''very'' disfunctional adult. [[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'' mostly seems to be an AlternateContinuity to any other ''Scooby-Doo'' cartoon with some BroadStrokes indicating similar events had happened. Then the series finale has the ancient evil beneath Crystal Cove being RetGone, leaving the gang in an alternate timeline where the only other one who remembers the difference is Creator/HarlanEllison, because he remembers ''every'' alternate timeline. He then explains [[ArcWords "This has all happened before"]], it's just unusual for them remember it, and they end up going on [[WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooWhereAreYou a cross-country mystery-solving roadtrip]]--complete with LaughTrack. The implication is that every work in the ''[[CanonWelding entire franchise]]'' has been the result of multiple {{Cosmic Retcon}}s of the same sort of they had just caused.* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'' was originally another mostly self-contained installment of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, in this case showing events in the galaxy in between the first two trilogies. However, as it goes on, it quickly proves to be a direct sequel to previous cartoon ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' as well, picking up on several hanging plot threads left over from that series, including the fates of [[spoiler: Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex, and Darth Maul]].* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls2016'' is a ContinuityReboot of ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' but also has aspects of being a sequel, albeit with a {{retcon}} of the series taking place in the 2010s instead of the 1990s. For example, the girls go to an elementary school because Pokey Oaks is uninhabitable.[[/folder]]----